Movie spotlight
The Freelings' suburban home becomes the center of paranormal activity that opens a portal to the 'other side'. With help, they must cross over to get their daughter back.
A suburban family's idyllic life is shattered when their house is invaded by malevolent spirits. These entities begin by subtly manipulating objects and sounds, escalating to the terrifying abduction of their youngest daughter, Carol Anne, into another dimension. The Freeling family must then enlist the help of parapsychologists and a spiritual medium to rescue their child from the spectral realm before it's too late.
Poltergeist (1982) was a significant commercial success and generally well-received by critics for its frightening premise, innovative special effects, and effective blend of suburban realism with supernatural horror. While some critics noted its departure from traditional horror tropes and its reliance on scares over character development, many praised its suspenseful pacing and unsettling atmosphere.
Praised for its groundbreaking special effects and genuinely scary moments.
Appreciated for its suspenseful build-up and chilling exploration of the paranormal.
Some found the film leaned more on scares than deep characterization.
Google audience: Audiences generally found Poltergeist to be a terrifying and well-crafted horror film, highlighting its effective scares and memorable paranormal phenomena. Many viewers were captivated by the story of a family battling supernatural forces within their own home.
Nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Original Score, Best Sound Effects Editing, and Best Visual Effects.
Despite Tobe Hooper being credited as the director, Steven Spielberg was heavily involved in the production, often stepping in to direct scenes himself and influencing the film's visual style.
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Imagine the archetypal middle class family - mum, dad and three kids - all muddling along nicely in their home next to a graveyard, until things really do start going bump in the night! Doors, chairs and drawers start having minds of their ...
This movie holds a special place in my heart. Yes, by the standards of 2020 the special effects could be better. But we've seen the remake so we know new does not always mean improved. This is what I like in a horror movie. Suitable f...
Like most of my contemporaries, I remember as a kid staying up late at night during the AMC Halloween horror movie marathon week (or was it a complete 31 days?) and watching the Freeling family get spooked by some O. G. paranormal activity;...
We know it as the beast. The Freeling family are happy and functioning perfectly well until one night their youngest daughter announces that thru the TV, the supernatural are here! Poltergeist divides the horror crowd big time, the go...
One of the biggest moments of my childhood was seeing _Poltergeist_ for the first time at 7 years old. I saw it on a 4:3 set on a very old DVD in my parents' bedroom, after my mom had recently come home from the hospital after surgery. One ...